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We Want Beer! Repeal Prohibition Week

It’s Repeal Prohibition week folks. This Thursday, December 5 marks the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, and 21st Amendment Brewery is leading a march to the beer. The parade starts at 4 pm at Justin Herman Plaza and ends at 21st Amendment Brewery on 2nd Street at Brannan, where the after-party will commence from 6 to 9 pm.

“If it weren’t for the passage of the 21st Amendment, we wouldn’t be in business,” says Shaun O’Sullivan, Brewmaster and co-founder of the 21A. “Of course, neither would any other adult beverage makers, at least not legally. But since we’re named after the constitutional amendment that made our brewery possible, we thought we should celebrate.”

Everyone is invited to join the parade, which will include a marching band, picket signs, and revelers in prohibition-era clothing. When the parade reaches the 21A, co-founders Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia will ring the bell to signify the end of prohibition and the free flow of beer. They will then tap six cask-conditioned kegs of Firkin beer, while an eight piece Dixieland band provides live music and historic announcements. The upstairs Brewer’s Loft will be converted to a password-only Speakeasy, complete with prohibition-era cocktails and casino games for charity. The password will be announced on Facebook, twitter and Instagram during the first week of December.

Once they’ve entered the casino, revelers can donate $20 for $500 worth of chips, which can be used to play Roulette, BlackJack and Poker until 9 pm, or until their chips run out. At 9 pm, gamblers will be allowed to cash in their remaining chips for raffle tickets, making them eligible for prizes of 21A shwag. All proceeds benefit the Center for Youth Wellness.

The special cask-conditioned ales will be lined up on the main bar. Most of the kegs are provided by guest brewers including Speakeasy, Drake’s, Thirsty Bear and Magnolia. Parade and party participants are encouraged to dress in Prohibition-era costumes from the 20s and 30s. Everyone will be rewarded with complimentary Three Twins Ice Cream made with 21A’s Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale.

“I’ll be wearing a Zoot Suit from the 1930s, and many of our staff members will be wearing flapper dresses, fedoras, or bowler hats from the 1920s,” says Nico Freccia, who founded the 21A with O’Sullivan. “So pick your favorite fashion decade from the prohibition era, and come to the party all decked out. Or not. Either way, we’ll serve you beer.”